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Women attend classes at Kerala Samajam Model School in Sakchi on Tuesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad
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They toil hard so that their children can go to school and reap the benefits of education. Now, it’s their turn to learn and be literate.
Tata Steel’s urban services and Kerala Samajam Model School (KSMS) have joined hands to start an adult literacy programme for women, especially mothers of those who study in KSMS Hindi School — the project school meant for underprivileged children. The six-month literacy programme, which was launched on February 2, will teach the women how to write their names, sign and read at least Hindi newspapers.
“Women face many problems in this society. With the increase in cases of atrocities against women, it has become necessary for them to know their rights and duties. Literacy will help them do so,” said Manju Mishra of Tata Steel’s urban services.
At present, two batches of 30 women are being taught simultaneously on the campus of KSMS. The afternoon project school, meant for children who work in the first half of the day, runs in the same compound.
The classes will not only focus on teaching English, Hindi and math, but will also offer social counselling. As most women who have enrolled for the programme are daily wage labourers or domestic servants in nearby areas, the resource persons will counsel them how to deal with day-to-day problems. Tata Steel’s urban services department is providing the teaching materials.
“We have started with English alphabets and will gradually progress to teach them Hindi so that after six months, our students can read properly,” said Mishra.
Vijayam Kartha, vice chairperson of Kerala Public Trust, said the literacy campaign would be extended to all four schools under the group in the future. “Women till 45 years of age can enrol for the programme. We have started this as a pilot project, but will soon expand it to other schools under our trust,” said Kartha.
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